•GH61 can cleave glycosidic bond on the cellulose surface via oxidation of various carbons.•GtGH61 increased hydrolysis rate of lignocellulosic biomass.•Enzymatic hydrolysis is increased by GtGH61 and cobalt (Co2+).

Lignocellulose is a renewable resource that is extremely abundant, and the complete enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose requires a cocktail containing a variety of enzyme groups that act synergistically. The hydrolysis efficiency can be improved by introducing glycoside hydrolase 61 (GH61), a new enzyme that belongs to the auxiliary activity family 9 (AA9). GH61was isolated from Gloeophyllum trabeum and cleaves the glycosidic bonds on the cellulose surface via oxidation of various carbons. In this study, we investigated the properties of GH61. GtGH61 alone did not exhibit any notable activity, but the synergistic activity of GtGH61 with xylanase (GtXyl10G) or cellulase (GtCel5B) showed efficient bioconversion rates of 56 and 174% in pretreated kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and oak (Quercus spp.), respectively. Furthermore, the GtGH61 activity was strongly accelerated in the presence of cobalt Co2+. Enzyme cocktails (GtXyl10G, GtCel5B, and GtGH61) increased the amount of sugar released by 7 and 6% for pretreated oak and kenaf, respectively, and the addition of Co2+ stimulated bioconversion by 12 and 11% in pretreated oak and kenaf, respectively.